John Stevens

Sep 2014

SøułSurvivør

This scripture was taken from the chapter
of the Bible where Jesus was dealing with
the greatest hypocrites to ever walk the
earth. This is from Matthew Chapter 23.

Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that
which is within the cup and platter,
that the outside of them may be clean also.
Matthew 23:26 KJV

I was an alcoholic.
I drank 'till I was blue.
I liked the feeling of *******,
I was an addict, too.

I was raised an atheist
Disallowed from church
So my spirituality
Was really in the lurch.

I knew there was an answer
that wasn't in the buzz
I just really didn't know
what that answer WAS.

I tried to do TM.
I went overboard, you see.
I even tried the SRF
and Scientology.

I went to many programs
Treatments and AA.
Rehabs by the score
the pain did not go away.

Finally I found one day
a precious little book.
Someone left it on a bike stand
I went to have a look.

It was a LITTLE BIBLE!
Just the book of John
I went to read the scripture
of the page that it was on.

Someone opened it on purpose
to what I read right then,
how Jesus took some deckhands
to be fishers of men.

I had a funny feeling
like someone touched my arms
I broke out in goose flesh
though the day was warm!

I decided to try Jesus.
Church two times a week.
I guess it was just a prelim
for what I was to seek.

I never did find Jesus
in the sanctuary there.
Some had base hypocrisy -
I was in despair!!!

But I did recieve
something of great worth
I learned to read the Bible
the greatest book on earth.

So one day I was writing
a poem... imagine that!
I found what I'd been missing
right there as I sat!

In this poem I spoke about
how an addict came apart
cried out to our Savior
and
ASKED HIM IN HER HEART!

That time there weren't just goose bumps
I knew I wasn't saved!
It was like an elephant
had walked across my grave!

I went outside to smoke.
I was 3 months clean.
But I still smoked cigarettes
If you know what I mean.

A nagging voice buzzed in my ear
you're just a stupid joke.
You still drink your filthy beer
and on top of that you smoke!

Well. I was sure considering that
and other things as well.
I figured if I used again
I could end the hell.

I would go there anyway!
Wasn't that a cinch?
But another voice came to me
it's power made me flinch!

It said, yes, you smoke your cigarettes
and that isn't good,
but the ******* makes you do evil
is that understood?

So break those filthy cigarettes
I'll show you. You'll break free.
Flush them down the toilet
then come talk to me.

Well, I didn't argue.
I did just as He said.
Then I asked Him

in my
HEART
and
v

prepared myself for bed.

But as I did lie there
I felt like, I don't know,
like things were hanging onto me
and did not want to go!

But I fell deeply asleep.
Because go they did
they were things demonic.
Inside me they had hid.

When I rose the next morning
I felt so rested... GOOD!
I wanted just to sing!
Wake the neighborhood!

I went outside to see
if I had not thrown away
all of the long cigarette butts
for a puff or two that day.

I found out something else.
It was really wierd!
All cravings for those cigarettes
HAD JUST DISAPPEARED!!!

And there were a lot of things
quite different about me.
I had been delivered.

JESUS SET ME FREE!!!

SoulSurvivor
Catherine Jarvis
(C) September 18, 2014

I was delivered from all my
addictions that night.

But, more importantly,
Jesus Christ was in my heart.
And I have never been the same.

I cried for fifteen minuets
after I realized what had happened.

TEARS OF PURE JOY!!!

John Stevens Sep 2014

Hummer's Delight

The Boss came to town one day
Took over the "Swinging" Sugar Shack.
When others came to take a sip
He warned them, "OUT and don't come back."

He buzzed them off so far away
As another came to sip and rest
Back he came his tail fanned out
Thinking, yes, he was the best.

With space around the Treasury
for more than eight to sip and eat.
But only one can land and sip
when "The Boss" plants his angry feet.

He sits and guards his precious turf
For many minutes at a time.
Driving away the other birds
Who has found the Sugar sublime.

The reason the hummers can only hum
is because they don't know the words.
Or they would scream little bird words
at the other little humming birds.

The hummer most persistent it seems
goes by the name of Hummer Hectar.
You too would be mad and miffed
if someone stole your Sugar and Nectar.

Thought about adding bells to the feeder
then the hummer could be a
Hummer-Ding
First name would not be Engelbert

(This may need some work... hummmm)

http://hellopoetry.com/poem/877794/hummers-delight-ii/

Sep 2014

Twinkle

Tackle this mess

Things aren't going right again today
I wish I could close my eyes and pretend
That's everything would be fine soon

But then again, I need to tackle this mess
It threatens to over power me and gain
Do you know that creepy feeling, like all is lost?
Like you can feel dejected and simply sigh!
Or scream your agony out!

Some how that should help,
make things controllable
But it doesn't do a dime!

So I pause and gather my thoughts,
Penning my frustration,
at odds that fly in my path
Some how I attract the worst
I feel like that all the time

Then I close my eyes and think!
No there is worse!
I am not there!
With the worst
I am here with the blest.

I have roof over my head
Clothes to wear
A job that pays
Food on the table and
loved ones to care.

This mess is the selfishness pouring
Out of hearts that have forgotten gratefulness
In its place grows restlessness
To seek and infect and thrive on sadness
Till it devours and make its conquest.

Oh Lord, my frustration is overpowering
If you don't do something soon I'll trip
That's not what I'd want cause I'll feel like a wreck
So I turn my gaze to you and reflect
Ask myself, what did you learn today
Did you get buried in your problems
Or did you look up and pray.

You see, the GREAT TEACHER, is watching
Life's little lessons he sends our way
Chapters on human psychology
Management of Time and Stress
His methods are tough
Not meant for the weak
Only the strong, can pass His test.

He never mean't it to be easy
Cause your are just not anybody
But His special treasure
Which He would like to gather
Richer and purer, after a struggle that's worthy
Of His Kingdom so glorious.
Which I await with a sadness, the longer I tarry!

With this experience firmly noted in my life's book
I shall mark it with gladness, for when again history repeats itself
I shall remember to read this lessons with gratefulness
The GIFT of words He gave, so that I can share.
When again frustration raises it ugly head
Armed with HIS words I'll fight my best.

Often enough life's situations threaten to overpower us and make us loose control. This poem started as a way to pen my frustration, but turned into a lesson that I learnt. WE CAN NEVER CONTROL ANYTHING. So let go and don't given in.

#life #frustration #stress #control #jesus #teacher #lessons #master #manage #chapters

John Stevens Aug 2014

Tony Boy and The Officers

April 24 2010 there was a Boy Scout display in the parking lot North of Mickey Ds and by the Imagination Station. Tony was fascinated by many of the displays. The Sheriff’s Office was well represented with several displays. Tony got to climb up on the rescue boat, the one we see going by our house frequently in the summer to fish someone out of the river. The two Sheriff’s Office Deputies in charge of the boat were really good with the kids. About 15 minutes later Tony bent over the bow of the boat, I was on the good ole solid ground, and said to me, “These guys are really COOL grandpa.” I said, “yup, they are.” and looked over at one of guys. I ask, “Did you hear that?” With a big grin he said, “I sure did.” He had a big grin on his face for a while. Tony debarked and headed to new territory. I have to have speedy shoes on to keep up some days. I wish I could find a pair of those.

Later we were at a different car on display. The people there were young intern or trainee types wearing the Sheriff’’s Office shirt and hardware. Tony had bailed out of the armored car where he had been playing for 20 minutes and was standing next to me watching the young group yucking it up. They were loud and horsing around some… with out the horse. All of a sudden he got a scowl on his face and said in a rather loud voice, “Grandpa, those are NOT real cops. Why are they wearing uniforms? They should not do that.” Well that was hard to explain and I was hoping “they” did not hear what he said. We left rapidly.

I guess he thought they were not acting the way officers should act. At least not like the COOL guys at the boat. I suppose that comes from trying to instill respect in the uniform of peace officers. The lesson is one each of us needs to remember. If we say we are (fill in the blank) then we had better act the part or we can lead an impressionable young mind astray. So lets be COOL.

That’s my story and I am sticking to it.

This has been hanging around in limbo for years so here it is.

Aug 2014

purple orchid

August Moon

The August Moon saw the rise of a phoenix from the ashes,
In the huts of poverty was she born,
An arrow of peace,
The changing touch of a stranger

She, the one with an old soul
She, the one with joy
She, the one with a vibrant smile
She, the one with a heart of gold
She, the one with selfless love

Born and bred with the tenacity of a lioness, courage did she ooze with her every day stride
A delicate orchid, with the raw beauty of a black rose
A gift amongst the blessed

She, a pillar of strength
She, a beacon of hope
She, a wild heart
She, a rebellious soul
She, a free spirit
She, a phenomenal woman

Floundered the earth for her offspring did she,
Gave wholeheartedly,
Loved wholeheartedly,
Lived fully did she.
Still now, she molds from her final resting place a queen and king

She, my mother.*

**Happy Birthday Mom!!!

12/08/1974--12/11/2008

Rest In Peace

Aug 2014

Juniper Deel

Love Will Never Die

Love is like the fear in hope,
When men gain too much pride.
Although it seems to ever fade,
Love will never die.

And while the world is staved of faith,
And evil will be ever great,
Love can change and save the world,
And love will never die.

Peace on earth has never been,
But it will come with strong-willed men,
Charging through with open arms,
Love will come again.

We do what's right,
And fight to see the light.
It beckons, shining through a tiny hole. For as we get stronger...
So does the burning coal.

And as we know in our hearts
That love will come again,
We raise up flaming souls

Undefeatable within.